The New Orleans Saints face a critical decision in the 2026 NFL Draft as they prepare to make their first selection at No. 8 overall. If running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame remains available, the choice may be clear-cut. Love is widely regarded as the premier running back prospect in this draft class, boasting impressive statistics that demonstrate his potential to be a franchise-changing player.
In the 2025 season, Love rushed for 1,372 yards and scored 18 touchdowns over 12 games, following a strong 2024 campaign where he recorded 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns across 16 games. Despite common reservations about drafting a running back high, the Saints’ need for a dynamic backfield presence and Love’s elite talent could override typical positional value concerns.
Projection and Speculation Around Love’s Draft Status
There is no certainty that Jeremiyah Love will be available when the Saints pick at No. 8, as teams with earlier selections, like the New York Giants at No. 5, have shown interest. However, if Love drops to New Orleans, he is expected to be the obvious choice. ESPN’s Jordan Reid supports this outlook, highlighting Love’s combination of explosiveness and versatility as key assets for the Saints.
How Jeremiyah Love Fits Into the Saints’ Offense
Reid emphasized,
“Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. The Saints hit at quarterback with Tyler Shough last year, so let’s get him a backfield mate to grow alongside. I believe that Love is the best player in this draft and could succeed Alvin Kamara, who will be 31 next season and in the last year of his contract. The Saints had the lowest percentage of 10-plus-yard runs last season (7.8 percent). Meanwhile, Love had 39 runs of 10 yards or more in 2025, fourth best in the FBS. He also had two 90-plus-yard touchdown runs. Adding him would not only give coach Kellen Moore an explosive runner but a capable pass catcher, too.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst
New Orleans’ offensive line is stocked with recent high draft picks, and the team boasts talented pass catchers including Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and Juwan Johnson. While the Saints need additional strength at wide receiver, they can address that need separately, making the selection of a dynamic running back like Love more pressing.
Long-Term Impact and Strategic Importance for the Saints
Alvin Kamara remains a key contributor, but with age and contract considerations looming, the Saints must invest in a viable heir to the running back position. Selecting Jeremiyah Love would secure the backfield’s future while injecting a new level of explosiveness that the offense lacks. The potential to pair him alongside Tyler Shough and established receivers offers a balanced and potent attack for years to come.
Looking ahead, the decision to draft Jeremiyah Love could shape New Orleans’ offensive identity and provide stability at running back beyond Kamara’s tenure, offering a much-needed dynamic playmaker in a crucial draft position.
